Can feeding machine



Jan. 1, 1935, N, R BACH 7 1,985,883

CAN FEEDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENToR M 0? ATTORNEYS Jan. 1, 1935. I N BACH 1,985,883

AN FEEDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1934 I K 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR ATTOR YS r Jan. 1, 1935. N BACH CAN FEEDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR M BY L@ ha N ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE CAN FEEDING MACHINE Neils P. Bach, Geneva, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 8, 1934, Serial No. '710,363

7 Claims.

, like, to stop and locate it in a predetermined position and to hold it against forward movement for a period of time and then to again advance it further, allvof the operations being capable of confinement within a limited space and operable at a high speed.

In av vacuum can closing machine it is highly desirable that the vacuum chamber be of the smallest volumetric dimensions consistent with the work to be do'ne as unnecessary space to be vacuumized means added expense and waste. been found that a feeding mechanism embodying the present invention by reason of its compact nature and style of movements including a locating. or centering feature intermediate the advancing functions is particularly adapted for use in such a machine and in the rpresent drawings and specification this particular adaptation will be given although it will be evident that the invention has other and wider uses for feeding cans or the like in other ways not relating to vacuum closing machines.

An object of the invention is the provision of.

can locating and transfer instrumentalities of can feeding .mechanism which moves a can over a path` of travel in one direction and which stopsv the can for a rest period during such move. ment while locating the same in a predetermined position.A

Another object of the present invention is the provisionof can feeding devices operable in conned spaces and having movements which are effected by direct application from a single source of actuation and cooperating to advance a can in one vdirection but through a series of different time cycles with a momentary pause between cycle movements at which time the moving can is brought to rest without jar or abrupt handling and is located in a predetermined position before further advancement.

A further objectof the invention is'the prof vision of can feeding mechanismjor use in a valve conned vacuum closing machine chamber which operates to receive a can as it enters the chamber from such a valve, to advance it into position and to'center it`for a seaming operation while leaving it without advance movement .during such seaming and to then transfer the can It has mentalities of can feeding lmechanism which include feeding devices for advancing the can in one direction, stopping devices including, first, a yielding element for overcomingthe momentum of the advancing can and second a'locking element for overcoming the yielding element to .positively locate the canin an exact predetermined position and other feeding devices for further advancing the can in the same direction.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood Afrom the following description, which, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical, sectional View of a vacuum can closing machine showing ventrance and exit valves arranged on opposite sides of a confined vacuum chamber containing a vcan feeding mechanism as illustrative of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken transversely ofV the machine and substantially along the line 2-l-2 in liig. 1;

Figs'. 3 and 4 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken substantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1, the two views showing the can feeding mechanism in different positions, Fig. 3 illustrating a portion of the entrance valve while Fig. 4 shows a portion of the discharge valve;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5*-5 in Fig.A 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along the line 6-6 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of one of the can positioning elements;y

and Fig. 8 is a sectionaldetail taken substantially along the line 8-8 in Fig. 5. f 'l y In' the closing 'machine herein illustrated, unsealed lca ns with their covers loosely held in place as by clinching or otherwise, are.A introduced into a vacuum chamber by means ofv a rotating entrance valve. This valve is" provided with suitable pockets in which the cans may be carried, each pocket having a pivoted nger for engaging behnd'the can and for sweeping it out of the pocket into the vacuum chamber at a predetermined time. Y

The can coming into the chamber is supported on a table and passes between spaced guide members which direct its path of travel. A transfer linger which has a can propelling section that traverses` an elliptical path of travel, engagesv behind the lcan. after -it is in the chamber 'and propels it across the table top to a can lifter plunger. Here it meets a can stop finger, yieldably secured to the transfer finger, which engages in front of the can and stops it in a predetermined position on the lifter plunger. While the can is at rest the plunger lifts it vertically into a seaming head where can and cover are united vin a double seam or the like connection.A

After the seaming operation, the can is lowered back to 4its original position and an auxiliary transfer finger, also having a can pro-4 the cycle of movement of the machine.

Only suiiicient of the can closing apparatus is given to provide a clear understanding of the features ofthe present invention, the can feeding mechanism being shown in some detail.

Such a disclosure embodies a main supporting frame broadly indicated by the reference character 11 (Figs. 1 and 2) and which comprises spaced vertical side walls 12, 13 tied together by a horizontal web 14 leaving the front and back of the frame open. These openings are preferably closed by gasket lined cover plates 15, 16 defining av vacuum chamber 18 or other confined space closed at the top by the bottom Wall of a housing 19 or other suitable member. The chamber 18 is adapted to be vacuumized in any suitable or usual manner such as by means of a suction pump or vacuum tank through a pipe 21 (Fig. 2) leading from the vacuum chamber.

Open top or unsealed cans 22 are shown by way of one example of articles adapted to be handled in the can feeding machine of the present invention and when such cans after being filled are to be closed in a vacuum closing machine as illustrated each can has a coverv clinched on or otherwise loosely secured to the can top. These cans are introduced into the chamber18 for vacuumizing and closing through a valve 24 and through an opening 26 (Fig.` 1) in the frame wall 12.

This valve 24 operates in and is partially surrounded by a valve seat 27 which is an integral part of a housing 28 whichv is bolted to one side of the frame wall 12. The valve 24 revolves in its seat 27 (clockwise in Fig. 3) and is driven through a tongue and groove connection 31 from a anged hub 32 which in turn iskeyed to a vertical driving shaft 33. The shaft 33 is jour,

naled in a'bearing 34 formed in a bracket 35 secured to the frame wall 12.

The valve 24 is provided with a series of pockets 37 (Figs. 1 and 3) and cans 22 are .inserted into the pockets in any suitable manner through an open side of the valve seat 27. A finger 38 may be disposed within each pocket 37 for en- A imposed upon the top of thevalve 24 and bolted This arm carries a cam `roller 43 at to an arm 46 secured to the top of the valve seat housing 28.

As a valve pocket 37 moves adjacent the opening 26 of the vacuum chamber the cam groove 44 acts upon the roller 43 and oscillates the linger 38 which sweeps the can out of the pocket and into the vacuum chamber, positioning it on a table 46. vThis table 46 is secured to supporting brackets 47 which may be formed as a part of the wall 12 and the table 'is provided with a pair of spaced guide bars 48 (Fig. 3) between which the can advances. The can cover passes beneath and is also guided by a guide member 51 (Fig. l) formed with a supporting foot 52 which is bolted to the frame wall 12 within the opening 26.

These guide members 48, 51 direct the can to a can closing or seaming station where the cover is vunited with the can in a double .seam or the like and for this purpose there is provided a seaming head 55 (Figs. 1 and 2) centrally mounted in the vacuum chamber in any suitable manner. There is also provided in axial alignment with this seaming head, a can lift plunger 56 mounted on a vertical shaft 57 journaled in a bearing 58 formed in the horizontal frame web 14.

' Shaft 57 has vertical slidingmovement in its bearing 58 which movement is effected in any suitable manner being in timed relation with the other moving parts of the machine. A platform 61 forms a part of the plunger 56 and this platform may carry spaced guide bars 62 secured to the top of the platform by screws 63, the bars being spaced apart and aligning with the bars 48 to further direct the passage of a can 22.

A can 22 entering the chamber 18 is immediately transferred to the lift plunger 61, across the table top 45 and platform 61 and between the guide' bars 48, 62. This transfer is made by a can feeding mechanism comprising, in part, a transfer linger 64 (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5) which moves in back of the can 22 as it conveys the can to the lift plunger.

'I'his finger 64 is formed as an integral part of an eccentric strap 65 which encircles an eccentric 66 keyed to a vertical shaft 67. This shaft 67 is journaled in bearings 68 formed in the main frame 11 and in a bearing 69 formed in the horizontal web 14. The shaft is rotated in timed relation with the other working parts of the machine in any suitable manner.

A pr ecting lug 71 is formed integrally with the ecce tric ring 65 at a point diametrically op posite the finger 64 and this lug carries a pivot stud 72 on which one end of a link 73 is loosely mounted. The opposite end of this link is loosely held by a pivot stud 74 which is carried in a boss 75 projecting up from lthe frame web 14. By means of this pivoted connection'to a fixed part, rotation of the shaft 67 imparts a combined reciprocating and rotary motion to the eccentrically mounted finger 64 causing the end of the finger to traverse an elliptical path of travel generating what may be termed a degenerate ellipse (shown by the dot .and dash line in Fig. 3)

Such a movement causes the end of the finger 64 to engage behind a can just introduced into the chamber and without stopping conveys it to the lift plunger. Then without any pause in its vmovement the finger` draws back fur a return stroke and moves out of and away from the path of travel of the next succeeding incoming can.v

This action is yery rapid and the entire movement is completed in an exceedingly small space.

Due to such rapid transfer of the can to the lift plunger 56, considerable momentum is gathered byl it andif this were not overcome it would stop linger 77 (Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7) is provided.

The finger is formed with a projection 78 which lays in the path of the can and brings it to a stop in a predetermined posi tion on the platform 61.

The finger 77 is pivoted on a stud 81 which is carried by the transfer finger 64 and is yieldingly' held in can engaging position by a spring cohnection illustrated in detail in Fig. 6. This con` nection includes av pin 83 secured in a boss 84 formed in the top of the finger 64, the pin pro-` jectirig up into an opening 85 formed in they nger.77 adjacent its pivot 81. It also includes a spring plunger havi-ng an enlarged head 87 slidably disposed in a horizontal bore 88 formed in the finger 77. v.

One end of the plunger projects into the opening 85 and abuts against the pin 83, being held in such projected position by a coil spring 89. This spring exerts a pressure upon the plunger head 87. This spring plunger isY also provided with a stem 91 which passes through the spring 89 and' its free end slides in a bushing .92. Bushing 92 is threadedly engaged in a recess 93 formed in the finger 77.

The spring 89 provides a yielding feature for the finger 77 when the rapidly moving can first strikes it and, is brought to rest this being while the finger 64 is conveying it to the lift plunger. By the time the can reaches this plunger position, a locking roller 95 carried on an auxiliary:

transfer finger 96 (Fig. 4) engages an edge 97 (see also Fig. 7) of an extended head 98 of the finger 77. 'I'his action nullifies the yielding element of the finger which thereupon /brings the can into an exact centralized position in align.- ment with the seaming instrumentalities. It will be observed, by reference to Fig. 4 that the can is centered in a three point contact, that is between the end of the transfer finger 64, the guide bar 62 and stop finger projection 78.

Following this centralizing action on the can and while the transfer finger 64 .is making its back strokethe lift plunger 56 raises and lifts the can positioned thereoninto the seaming head. The can remains thus while its cover is united to the can by double seaming or otherwise. The plunger 56 thereupon descends lowering the closed can to the level of the table 45 and about the same time the transfer finger 64 completes its rear stroke and engages the next can entering the vacuum chamber.

Simultaneous with this or just prior thereto,A

the auxiliary transfer finger 96 already briey referred to, engages behind the loweredv and seamed can on the plunger platform 6l. This auxiliary transfer finger 96 is similar to the transfer finger 64 and is also formed integrally with an eccentric strap 101 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) which encircles an eccentric. 102 alsolkeyed to the vertical shaft 67, adjacent the eccentric 66. Both eccentrics are secured'together by a'screw 103.

A projecting lug 105 is formed integrally with the eccentric strap 101 at a point diametrically opposite the finger 96 and carries a shouldered pivot bolt 106 (see also Fig. 8) which pivotally supports one end of a curved link 107. The opposite end of tle link 107 is pivotally held by a shouldered bolt 108 (Fig. 5) secured by a nut 109 in a lug 1 11 projecting from the framewall 13.

Like the pivoted connection controlling the movement of the finger 64, the eccentric 102 and operating simultaneously, elliptical path of its own, the finger 64 conveying its pivoted link 107 controls the action ofthe finger 96. Rotation of the shaft 67 also imparts a combined reciprocating and rotary motion to the end of the finger 96 causing its end to traverse an elliptical path 'of travel and generating a secnd'so called degenerate ellipse, this second path, however, having a greater major axis than the degenerate ellipse of the travel of the' fingerv 64. This second path of travel is illustrated by dot and dash lines in Fig.- 4.

The end of the auxiliary transfer finger 96 moves in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. 4) so that in coming in back of the seamed can 22 on the plunger platform 61 it is clear of the can. Forward movement of the finger 96 which immediately follows now sweeps the can off the platform 61, across a second table 'and between guide bars 116 secured to the top of the table.

The table 115 rests on lugs 117 (Fig. 1) formed integrally with the frame wall 13 and extends into a can discharge opening 1.18 provided in the wall 13. During the passage of the seamed can across thetable 115 it passes beneath a guide member 1l9 formed witha foot portion 121 bolted above to the upper wall edge of the opening 118.

The opening 118 is closed to prevent the entrance of air by a discharge valve 124 (Fig. 1) similar in construction and operation to the entrance valve 24 and also having can carrying pockets 125. This valve 124 moves in a valve seat 126 formedv in a housing 127 which is secured to the frame wall 13 in position to surround the opening 118. Valve 124 is driven through a tongue and groove connection from a flanged h ub 129 keyed to a vertical driving shaft 131. y

Shaft 131 is journaled in a bearing 133 formed in a bracket 134 secured to the side of the frame wall 13. The upper end of the shaft 131 is vjournaled in a bearing 136 formedin a bracket 137 which is bolted to the side of the frame wall 13 above the valve seat housing 127.

Referring again to the finger 96 it willbe observed by reference to Fig. 4 that near the forward end of its stroke this finger pushes the can into a presented valve pocket 125, the end of the finger remaining in engagement with the can until the can is whollywithin the pocket, this being at the end of the stroke.

-it should be understood that both the .transfer finger v64 and its auxiliary transfer finger 96 are Y each traversing an an unsealed can from the entrance valve to the lift plunger, while the finger 96 .is conveying a 'closed can from the liftplunger to the discharge valve.'

This construction of fingers and their controlled movement permits of a short space between the valve members which makes' possible a vacuum chamber of small proportions. This is particularly advantageous in vacuum closing machines as it reduces the volume of chamber space to be vacuumized and presents favorable conditions for maintaining a higher vacuum. The short movements of the finger devices also permits of high speed operation.

Closed cans after being placed in the discharge valve are carried to a point outside the vacuum chamber and discharged in the regular manner to any convenient place of deposit. Each can pocket contains a can ejecting finger 141 (Figs. 1 and 4) secured tothe lower end of a vertical rock shaft 142 journaled in a bearing 143 formed in the valve. The upper end of the shaft is formed integrally with a lever arm 144 which carries at its free end a cam roller 145. Cam roller 145 operates in a groove 146 formed in a stationary cam 147. The cam 147. is bolted to a flange 148 'of the bracket 137. The cam 147 While the valve 124 revolves thus actuates thelever arm 144 and moves finger 141 at the proper time to eject the cam from the valve pocket.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spiritahd scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: J

1. A can feeding mechanismv comprising in combination, a can transfer member for moving a can over a predetermined path of travel, actuating means associated with said member for moving it in an elliptical path of travel, and stopping means carried by said member for intercepting said can and for bringing it to rest at a predetermined position by overcoming the inherent momentum of said moving can.A

2. A can feeding mechanism comprising in combination, can transfer members for moving a can over` a predetermined path of travel, actuating means for moving said transfer members in separate elliptical paths of travel, and means for intercepting thev progress of a said can at a predetermined position in said path of travel.

3. A can feeding mechanism comprising in combination, can transfer members for moving a can over a predetermined path of travel, actuating means for moving said transfer members in separate elliptical paths of travel, means for intercepting the progress of a said can at a-predetermined position in said path of travel, and means for positively and exactly locating said can in said predetermined position.

4. A can feeding mechanismY comprising in combination, a plurality of can transfer members for cooperatively moving a can in the same direction over a predetermined path of travel, actuating meas associated with said members for moving them in separate elliptical paths of travel, and yieldable stopping means associated withl a said member for momentarily intercepting said y can at a predetermined position by overcoming the inherent momentum of said moving can.

' 5. A can feeding mechanism comprising in combination, a plurality of can transfer members for cooperatively moving a can in the same direction over a predetermined path of travel, actuating means associated with said members for moving them in separate elliptical paths of travel, yieldable stopping means associated with a said member for momentarily intercepting said can at a predetermined position by overcoming the inherent momentum'of said moving can, and locking means associated with another of said members for actuating said yieldable stopping means for. positively and exactly locating said can in said predetermined position. l

6. A can feeding mechanism for a vacuum can closing machine comprising in combination, a vacuum chamber, an inlet valve for introducing unsealed cans into said chamber, an exit valve for discharging sealed cans from said chamber, can closing instrumentalities in said chamber intermediate said valves, can transfer members also in said chamber for moving cans in one direction from inlet valve to exit valve over a predetermined path of travel, means associated with said members for actuating them in independent elliptical paths of travel, yieldable means for intercepting a said canat a predetermined position adjacent said closing instrumentalities by overcoming the inherent momentum of said moving can, and locking means for actuating said yieldable means for positively and exactly locating said can in vertical alignment with said closing instrumentalities.

7. A can feeding mechanism for a4 vacuum can closing machine comprising in combination, a vacuum chamber, an inlet valve for introducing unsealed cans into said chamber, an exit valve for discharging sealed cans from said chamber, can closing instrumentalities in said chamber intermediate said valves, can transfer members also in said chamber for moving cans progressively in one direction from inlet valve to exit valve over a predetermined path oftravel, yieldable means for intercepting a said can at a predetermined position adjacent said closinginstrumentalities as it is transferred by the first of said transfer members, and locking means for actuating said yieldable means to positively and exactly locate said can in vertical alignment with said closing instrumentalities prior to its sealing by said instrumentalities and its further advancement im another of said transfer members.

NEILS P. BACH. 

